Core i3-6100U
VS
Core 2 Duo T7800

Core i3-6100U vs Core 2 Duo T7800

Intel

Core i3-6100U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo T7800

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-6100U is positioned at rank 772 and the Core 2 Duo T7800 is on rank 156, so the Core 2 Duo T7800 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100U

#760
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1115%
#761
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1099%
#762
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1009%
#763
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1004%
#764
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
995%
#766
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
961%
#767
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
921%
#768
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
920%
#769
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
895%
#772
Core i3-6100U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#773
Core i7-9750HF
MSRP: $395|Avg: $395
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7800

#42
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A
99%
#144
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
331%
#145
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
326%
#146
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
299%
#147
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
298%
#148
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
295%
#150
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
285%
#151
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
273%
#152
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
273%
#153
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
265%
#156
Core 2 Duo T7800
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#158
Core i5-3210M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-6100U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i3-6100UCore 2 Duo T7800
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T7800 (2007) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i3-6100UCore 2 Duo T7800
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-6100U and Core 2 Duo T7800

Intel

Core i3-6100U

The Core i3-6100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,631 points. Launch price was $281.

Intel

Core 2 Duo T7800

The Core 2 Duo T7800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 August 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,663 points. Launch price was $515.

Processing Power

The Core i3-6100U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T7800's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U versus 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7800 — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T7800 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-6100U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7800 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100U scores 2,631 against the Core 2 Duo T7800's 2,663 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7800. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7800.

FeatureCore i3-6100UCore 2 Duo T7800
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.3 GHz
2.6 GHz+13%
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
2.6 GHz+13%
L3 Cache
3 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
4 MB+700%
Process
14 nm-78%
65 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015−2016)
Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark
2,631
2,663+1%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T7800 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-6100UCore 2 Duo T7800
Socket
BGA1356
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-667
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-6100U) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7800). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7800 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7800 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.

FeatureCore i3-6100UCore 2 Duo T7800
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget